Lakers Waive Jeremy Tyler
MONDAY, 4:47pm: The move is official, the team announced.
SUNDAY, 6:26pm: The Lakers will waive Jeremy Tyler so that he can sign a deal in China, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Wojnarowski adds that the forward will not dress for tonight’s preseason game.
Tyler, 23, has spent time with the Warriors, Hawks and Knicks since being drafted by Charlotte in the second round of the 2011 Draft. Over 104 games, Tyler owns career averages of 3.6 points and 2.6 boards over 104 games in his NBA career.
With Tyler out of the picture, the Lakers now have an 18-man roster with 13 guaranteed deals. Keith Appling, Jabari Brown, Wayne Ellington, Ronnie Price, and Roscoe Smith have non-guaranteed pacts and are vying for the last spots on the final roster.
Central Notes: Bulls, Kidd, Cavs
Mary Stevens of Basketball Insiders looked at three under-the-radar rookies to watch, including Doug McDermott of the Bulls. The former Creighton standout will have to adjust to pace of the NBA quickly as Chicago has high hopes for this season, but he is widely regarded as one of the most NBA-ready players out of the 2014 class. More from the Central Division..
- Bucks coach Jason Kidd told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com he now believes the rumors that the Nets wanted to fire him as their coach last December. Later, the offseason trade that sent him to Milwaukee in exchange for two second-round draft picks convinced him of that, though many would say that it was Kidd who forced that situation. Kidd also questioned the Nets’ decision not to retain free agent forward Paul Pierce, who signed a two-year, $11MM deal with the Wizards. “I believe it,” Kidd said regarding Pierce’s claim about not being offered a contract. “I mean, if they don’t offer [Pierce] a contract worth what a first-round pick is, then why did we do the deal [last year for Pierce and Kevin Garnett]?”
- After dropping Stephen Holt and Chris Crawford today, the Cavs need to make at least one more cut before the regular season begins. However, it’s more likely that they will make two cuts to leave a roster spot open for a free agent, writes Chris Haynes of The Plain Dealer.
- Spencer Dinwiddie sees an opportunity for increased playing time with the Pistons, between his improving knee and this week’s trade that sent Will Bynum to the Celtics. The point guard, who suffered a torn ACL last winter, told Keith Langlois of Pistons.com that his knee is feeling better and that he is ready to compete for minutes. Detroit traded Bynum away within days of Dinwiddie taking part in his first simulated game action, which may or may not be coincidental.
Arthur Hill contributed to this post.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Chuck Myron ran down the players who changed conferences this offseason.
- Eddie Scarito looked at draftees who have remained with their original teams.
- Chuck looked at Alec Burks as an extension candidate.
- Here are the longest tenured players on each team.
- Did you miss out on this week’s chat? Check out the transcript here.
- Should the Warriors give Klay Thompson a max extension? Hoops Rumors readers are more or less split 50/50.
- Follow Hoops Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, and your RSS feed.
- You can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.
Hoops Links: Johnson, Morey, Hornets
On this date in 1961, Wilt Chamberlain kickstarted a streak of 126 consecutive games with 20 or more points. The streak, which included the legendary 100-point game and a seven-game streak of 50+ points per game, ended on January 19, 1963.
Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere…
- Legion Report thinks Joe Johnson is due for a regression.
- Red94 wonders if Rockets GM Daryl Morey should trade sooner rather than later.
- Raptors HQ previewed the Hornets.
- Hot Hot Hoops is worried about the three-point shooting in Miami.
- Fear The Sword expects James Jones to play a significant role this season.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Week In Review: 10/13/14 – 10/19/14
Earlier this week we learned that the Wolves have gotten inquiries on a few players, including forward Chase Budinger. The Pistons, Rockets, and other clubs have shown interest in the 26-year-old and with plenty of small forwards under contract, it stands to reason that Minnesota could consider moving him. More from the week that was..
- GM Danny Ferry is unlikely to return to the Hawks.
- The Celtics sent Joel Anthony to the Pistons for Will Bynum. The deal gives the C’s some room beneath the tax threshold and they may or may not waive Bynum.
- The Wizards exercised their options on Bradley Beal and Otto Porter for 2015/16. The Wizards are already planning on extending Beal next offseason.
- The Celtics have a high asking price for Rajon Rondo and they’re putting out trade feelers on Jeff Green, according to Zach Lowe of Grantland. The Hawks also brought up Al Horford‘s name in trade talks with a few teams last year.
- The Mavs are trying to find trade partners who’ll take center Bernard James and point guard Gal Mekel.
- The Bucks exercised their options on Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Henson.
- Daniel Orton is headed to China after being waived by the Wizards.
- DeAndre Liggins has agreed to a one-year deal with Krasny Oktyabr of Russia.
- The Bucks waived Elijah Millsap and Chris Wright.
- The Wolves picked up their 2015/16 rookie scale team options on Anthony Bennett, Gorgui Dieng, and Shabazz Muhammad.
- The Knicks exercised their team option to keep point guard Shane Larkin on his rookie scale contract for 2015/16.
- The Raptors have exercised their options to keep Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross under their rookie scale contracts for 2015/16.
- The Kings exercised their 2015/16 option on Ben McLemore.
- The Heat waived the non-guaranteed contracts of Chris Johnson and Reggie Williams.
- The Suns have waived Joe Jackson, Casey Prather and Jamil Wilson.
- The Blazers placed James Southerland on waivers and he later signed with signed with Limoges CSP of France.
- John Holland signed a deal in Turkey after he was cut loose by the Spurs.
- The Kings waived Sim Bhullar, Deonte Burton, and David Wear.
- The Cavs waived Chris Crawford and Stephen Holt.
- The Bulls waived Kim English, Ben Hansbrough, and Solomon Jones.
- The Pelicans waived Dionte Christmas.
Kings Exercise Option On Ben McLemore
The Kings announced that they have picked up the 2015/16 option on guard Ben McLemore‘s contract. The move was something of a formality as it was widely expected.
The guard averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 26.7 minutes per contest as a rookie last season. On the surface, the two guard didn’t have a hard time adjusting to the pros as he saw time in all 82 games in 2013/14. McLemore’s name was brought up in trade rumors more than once last year, particularly in connection with Celtics star Rajon Rondo. Nothing came from those talks, however, and McLemore could prove to be an integral part of the Kings’ future.
Cavs Waive Chris Crawford, Stephen Holt
The Cavs announced that they have waived guards Chris Crawford and Stephen Holt. The Cavs’ roster now stands at 16.
Crawford appeared in five preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 2.4 points and 1.6 assists in 7.6 minutes per game. Cleveland signed Crawford late last month to a one-year, non-guaranteed pact. The Memphis product, who was with the Rockets in summer league, averaged just 8.7 PPG as a senior after putting up 10.4 PPG in his junior season.
Holt’s release was expected as David Pick of Eurobasket.com reported yesterday that he was headed to the Cavs’ D-League affiliate. Holt, also signed in late September, played in two preseason games and averaged 3.0 points in 2.3 minutes per game. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of Saint Mary’s back in 2012 after averaging 10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.4 APG for his collegiate career.
This marks the second time in the past few weeks that the Cavs have waived Crawford. The guard was waived to make room for the club’s acquisition of Keith Bogans and collected on his $20K partial guarantee. When Bogans was traded to the Sixers, he was then re-signed to the non-guaranteed deal that was terminated today.
And-Ones: Jackson, Knicks, Draft, Towns
At a public event earlier today in New York, Knicks president Phil Jackson reiterated that he’ll be the one making the basketball decisions and said he’ll only consult owner James Dolan on spending matters, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Things have been different in the past, of course, but Jackson said that Dolan only got overly involved in the past because he felt he was forced to (link). As evidence that Dolan is now hands-off, Jackson noted that he was told he didn’t have to re-sign Carmelo Anthony this summer if he didn’t think it was the right move (link). Here’s more from around the Association..
- With the first Kentucky Combine in the books (yes, you read that right), Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress looks at how the Wildcats’ NBA prospects fared. UK’s Karl Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, and Alex Poythress are all possible first-round picks in the 2015 draft.
- An NBA scout at the combine told Adam Zagoria of SNY (on Twitter) that Towns is their best prospect “and it’s not even close.” The big man is currently slated to go No. 3 in DraftExpress’ 2015 mock.
- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has high hopes for what offseason addition Pau Gasol can do on the defensive end, writes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. “He could do better,” Thibodeau said. “He’s done well, but I think he could be great. That’s what I want him to be. He’s got great length, he’s got great timing. He’s smart. He can anticipate. He’s still not communicating as well as he’s capable of, but he’s done well thus far.”
Western Notes: Nash, Burke, Parsons
With Thunder star Kevin Durant out, we’re about to be treated to the full Russell Westbrook experience, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. OKC managed to get by without Westbrook at the start of the 2013/14 season – they were 22-8 over the first three and a half months – but it remains to be seen how they’ll do sans KD. More out of the West..
- Steve Nash was widely criticized for his admission earlier this year that he wouldn’t retire because he wanted the money left on his contract, but the Lakers guard isn’t interested in making a phony apology, writes Bill Oram of The Orange County Register. “It was an inflammatory statement in a way,” Nash said. “But I was being extremely truthful. That’s an important part of the business and we are businessmen. I’m not going to just give that money away.”
- The early returns are promising on Jazz point guard Trey Burke, writes Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Burke won’t turn 22 until next month, but he’s showing the poise of a much older point guard.
- Mavs coach Rick Carlisle apologized to Chandler Parsons for publicly criticizing the team’s prized free-agent addition’s weight and conditioning after Friday night’s preseason game. “I have apologized to him and the entire team for this error in judgment. Not only is Chandler Parsons one of our best players, he is also one of our hardest working players and the kind of high character person we strive to bring to our city and franchise,” Carlisle wrote in a statement, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
Atlantic Notes: Lopez, Faverani, Nets, 76ers
After the Nets beat the Kings in Shanghai, center Brook Lopez praised the team’s hiring of coach Lionel Hollins, writes Lenn Robbins of NBA.com. “He’s been a successful head coach and he knows what he wants,” said Lopez. “He wants his players to get better. That’s what happened in Memphis and I think that can happen here. Hiring him was the right decision.” More out of the Atlantic Division..
- There are murmurs that the Celtics will cut Vitor Faverani, who has a guaranteed contract, to get down to a 15-man roster, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. The big man, owed $2.09MM this season, has yet to practice in camp due to pain in his surgically repaired knee. Meanwhile, Dwight Powell, who is guaranteed ~$507K for the upcoming year, has impressed teammates with his versatility and work ethic.
- After a strong showing in Shanghai, big man Jerome Jordan may have earned a spot on the Nets‘ roster, writes Reed Wallach of Nets Daily. The former Knick, who will lock in a partial guarantee of $100K if he’s on the roster through October 25th, has just 21 NBA games to his credit.
- NBA.com’s Angus Crawford caught up with Sixers draftee Jordan McRae, who’s currently playing professionally abroad for Melbourne United, about life in Australia and his time in summer league. The former Tennessee standout also sat down with Hoops Rumors for a Q&A prior to the June draft.
- Forward Brandon Davies is fighting hard to make the 76ers’ roster. There’s no guarantee that he will, but, at the very least, coach Brett Brown respects his effort, writes Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com.